GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Chargers cruise to CPIC Conference title

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on February 11, 2017 11:14 PM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

WILSON -- When in doubt, Jala Holloman and Lexi Jeffreys.

Key pistons in the Wayne Country Day girls' varsity basketball engine all season, the duo operated at peak efficiency when it mattered most on Friday evening, pushing the Lady Chargers past John Paul II, 46-27, in the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference tournament championship game at Greenfield School.

The victory -- a tense, at times labor-intensive struggle -- moved Wayne Country Day to 18-7 overall this season.

Holloman began the affair in a hurry, scoring six points to open the contest and provide the Chargers a seven-point lead after eight minutes.

Matters weren't so easy for Jeffreys, however.

The WCDS center was locked in a physical struggle with PJPII senior Sydnee Neal, who used her experience, size and skill to make life difficult -- and bruising -- in the three-second area.

Alas, Holloman.

Just as she has done all season, the hard-to-guard scorer netted 10 second stanza points to further the Charger advantage.

At the break, WCDS led 21-11.

"We knew we would get their best shot," said WCDS head coach David Flowers. "They (JPII) were going to play hard, play aggressive... but we adjusted, played to our level."

And that was never more clear than on the first Charger possession of the second half.

Courtesy of a blink-and-miss handle, Holloman vanished from the on-ball pressure of John Paul guard Stefani Mora, penetrated the lane and slipped a no-look, over-the-shoulder dish to Jeffreys, who finished off the glass for a basket that foreshadowed the contest's remainder.

What transpired from that point was a calculated run of textbook, finish-in-style hoops, with Holloman controlling pace and Jeffreys everything which took place in the lane.

In total, the duo scored 37 of the team's 46 points. Jeffreys finished with 11 points, 24 rebounds and four blocked shots. Holloman recorded one of her finest all-round efforts of the season -- 26 points, five boards and four steals.

Neal, whose productivity tapered off in the second half, paced John Paul II with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Following the championship trophy presentation, Holloman, Jeffreys and junior forward Lillian Freeman were tabbed as all-CPIC tournament performers. To no surprise, Holloman was awarded Most Valuable Player honors.

All that remains now for WCDS is official word from the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association as to its playoff seeding -- a process which will be finalized this afternoon.

"I feel like we'll be a top-six seed, and the girls are excited," Flowers said. "So... let's go have a good experience."

Thus far, it has been nothing short of exceptional.